Paul Lewis: Mozart+
About the event
Lewis is direct, honest, affectionate and charismatic, but always with an underlined emotion and depth of feeling … It is the beauty of simplicity at its highest level, and it’s so hard to achieve The Arts Desk Musica Viva Australia is thrilled to welcome back the inimitable Paul Lewis. The British concert pianist has received universal critical acclaim for his performances and recordings of the great piano works of Beethoven and Schubert. He now turns his laser-like focus and insightful musicianship to Mozart. What more is there to say about Mozart? A great deal, according to Paul Lewis. ‘For many years I’ve wanted to spend some time focusing on Mozart’s piano sonatas and have long felt sceptical of the broadly held view that these remarkable works are the poor siblings of his piano concertos.’ This recital series challenges that idea by juxtaposing the many facets of this rich corner of the piano repertoire with works by other composers, presenting both contrasts with and connections to Mozart’s piano writing. The transparency, discretion, and humour of Poulenc, and the playful sensuality of Debussy’s L'isle joyeuse are all threads to trace back to and listen out for in the piano sonatas of Mozart. This performance is currently available as part of a Musica Viva Australia 2026 Season Subscription.
